Barceloneta Beach

Platja de la Barceloneta

A city beach a 15-minute walk from the Old Town, remodeled after the 1992 Olympics. It has seafood paella restaurants, a seaside promenade and Frank Gehry's golden fish sculpture.

Barceloneta was originally planned in the 18th century as a triangular district for fishermen and sailors who had been expelled from the El Born district. Its narrow streets and clotheslines still preserve the atmosphere of a fishing village. Before the 1992 Olympics, the industrial shoreline was transformed into a golden sandy beach about 1.1 km long, now counted among Europe's best city beaches. Tourists and locals sunbathe here, play beach volleyball, and jog or cycle along the seaside promenade. At the eastern end is Port Olímpic, where two 154-meter towers and Frank Gehry's golden fish sculpture (Peix) are landmarks. At the western end stands the sail-shaped W Hotel. Along the promenade are Chiringuito beach bars. In the old district, long-established restaurants such as La Cova Fumada (birthplace of the bomba potato fritter), Can Solé and Can Majó are known for seafood and seafood paella, and they are best booked ahead on weekends. You can also take the Golondrinas sightseeing boat from the port, or ride the Telefèric del Port cable car across the harbor to Montjuïc for panoramic views. Getting there: take metro L4 to Barceloneta and walk 10 minutes, or walk 15 minutes from the Gothic Quarter. Buses V15 and V19 run directly to the beach. Note that there are many pickpockets and street beer sellers on the beach. Don't leave valuables on the sand, and use lockers when swimming. Summer weekends are extremely crowded. For fewer people, head east to Bogatell or Mar Bella beach.

Barceloneta Beach

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